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British TV Series & Film 'The Inbetweeners' Getting US Adaptation

Those who keep up with comedy on the other side of the pond are likely already familiar with "The Inbetweeners," a show that follows the misadventures of four high school boys who navigate the comedic waters of high school. The Inbetweeners Movie was released in 2011 and became the highest grossing comedy of all time in the UK, and now Paramount Pictures is hoping to bring that success stateside by creating an American version of the film. But this shouldn't be another case of losing all the comedic juice in translation because the show's co-creator, Iain Morris, is set to write and direct the new US adaptation.

For your reference, here's the red band trailer for the UK film adaptation of The Inbetweeners:

This news from THR is particularly interesting considering that MTV has just announced the Americanized version of "The Inbetweeners" for TV to premiere this August, so there's a lot of heat on this property right now. Also interesting to consider is the fact that MTV and Paramount are both owned by Viacom, so I'm wondering if we'll end up seeing the same actors cast in the film as in the new US television series.

If that ends up being true, Morris would have to dramatically change the plot of the film because last year's British movie (which hits theaters here in the US on September 7th) served as a sort of bookend to the series, following the main characters after they'd graduated. Things would get a bit confusing if they used the same actors for a brand new TV series in which the characters in high school and then jumped to a movie in which they've already graduated. Expect some changes on both the film and TV side of things for the US versions, and let's just hope that with co-creator Morris involved, the property can keep some of its signature comedic touches.

Reader Feedback - 7 Comments

1

I understand why they are doing this (because it was amazingly excellent), but I do not agree with it (at all).

DAVIDPD on Jul 2, 2012

2

What always amazes me is the absolute inability of Americans to watch anything made outside US. It's not subtitled for crying out loud it's in original English, from England. Little British accent wont kill you.
Now, I love original US shows but they just ruin UK ones when doing remakes. Man Behaving Badly, Coupling, The Office (yes I said it) all brilliant originals and pathetic remakes, this will be no different.

ahha on Jul 2, 2012

3

I have watched British series(!) for years now. LUTHER, SHERLOCK, DOCTOR WHO, THE IT CROWD, BLACK MIRROR, THE INBETWEENERS, MISFITS, TORCHWOOD, SKINS (only series 1, though), TOP GEAR, BEING HUMAN, LIFE ON MARS, PRIMEVAL, DOWNTOWN ABBEY & (even) THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES. But I agree that in general, most Americans do not like to watch British television. (FYI DOWN ABBEY is really big right now in the US, and DOCTOR WHO also has a very large following here)

DAVIDPD on Jul 2, 2012

4

I think that's a slightly hasty generalization. Yeah there are audiences turned off by things non-American, but the reason studios do American remakes like this is so they can fill it with recognizable names, which would make audiences here more likely to see it, and thus earn money. That's just show business sadly.
For my money, I always go out of my way for British TV and film, because they have some of the finest comedy and drama money can buy.

Well Greg Davies who plays Headmaster Gilbert, is a regular on Mock the Week. so he's reasonably famous.

jez on Feb 10, 2013

6

I too watch British shows (starting with Are u Being Served, Doctor Who #4 and Blake's 7 to name a few)..... and as a fan of the original series..... I say nay. Nay I say.... especially if they are using american actors a la Skins.

Duane on Jul 2, 2012

7

This seems like a good fit to me. Audiences tend to go for crass, stupid, poorly written bullshit, and that is an accurate description of The Inbetweeners. It also has the pleasant distinction of having one the most unlikable, bitchmade protagonists since Rick Moranis stopped getting cast in leading roles. Fuck this lazy show